Woodfield Hunt Club A Luxury Community

BOCA RATON — A tract of land which once served as an equestrian center has evolved into a thriving community of single-family homes which range up to more than a million dollars in value.

When fully completed, it will contain approximately 325 homes -- all of them in the six- or seven-figure price category.

Because of the equestrian connection, the luxury community -- located north of Glades Road on Powerline Road in western Boca Raton -- was named the Woodfield Hunt Club.

Twenty years ago, the tract was still an English-style equestrian center where horse lovers rode and stabled their steeds. Western Boca, of course, was still rural territory -- mainly open, undeveloped land where one could easily get away from it all.

There was plenty of room for horseback riding in those days.

In 1978, developer George Barbar bought the Powerline Road tract, owned at that time by Augustus Butts. Barbar`s developing firm, Boca Investors, Inc., was literally ``the new kid on the block`` in the real estate business.

From the beginning, development plans for Woodfield Hunt Club were carefully thought out and executed.

Since the community`s inception in 1981, the planned residential area has flourished to become one of the area`s most desirable custom home communities.

This success story started with 130 homesites in the community`s first phase of development. In just two years, this first phase was completely sold out, and the second phase was opened.

The second phase of 198 homesites continues the Old English theme established in the completed initial section, with exclusive and luxurious homes still being offered.

George Barbar, president of Boca Investors, Inc., noted that the emphasis is presently focused on the completion of the second phase of development. Homes in the new section augment the existing 128 homes in the first phase, completing the master-planned community.

To date, the second phase has recorded sales in excess of $50 million.

Woodfield Hunt Club has garnered a reputation as one of the ``hottest selling`` custom home communities in Boca Raton, with residences ranging from $300,000 to over $1 million.

The total sales volume reported represents contracts on 65 per cent of the homes available in the second phase of Woodfield Hunt Club, Anthony Barbar, president of Boca Investors Realty, Inc., the realty arm of The Barbar Group, pointed out.

``Although several lakefront and oversized homesites are still available, we anticipate these choice lots will be sold by the end of the year to families seeking a permanent home in a prestigious community,`` Barbar explained.

There presently are 60 families residing in Woodfield Hunt Club`s second phase, and 83 per cent of these families have children, according to Diane Clark, director of sales for the development.

``Families are attracted to Woodfield Hunt Club for a number of reasons. At the top of the list is Woodfield Hunt Club`s ideal location near the ever- growing Town Center Mall, excellent educational facilities, arts and cultural opportunities, gourmet restaurants and city beaches,`` Ms. Clark said.

``Furthermore, unique home designs by Woodfield Hunt Club`s builders add the many personal touches that families seek in a custom home community.``

Community recreational amenities available to residents include facilities for tennis, racquetball and handball. Children may enjoy a playground with a basketball court, swings and slides. A 33-acre lake at the heart of the community has become a favorite spot to watch a sun set, to sail and fish, or as a scenic stop for bicycle riders and joggers.

Woodfield Hunt Club residents will be eligible for membership in Woodfield Country Club, the recreational and social hub of a new community planned next to Woodfield Hunt Club. Woodfield Country Club, to be developed by The Barbar Group, will provide extensive socail and sports activities, including an 18- hole championship golf course, a 20-acre recreational complex with playing field, children`s recreation center, clubhouse with dining facilities, golf clubhouse, teen center, swim club and tennis club.

The complex will be set on a nine-acre lake that will be ideal for such activities as fishing and sailing. An aquatic center will include two swimming pools, a children`s wading pool and locker room facilities.

Woodfield Country Club will be located on the northwest corner of Powerline Road and Yamato Road in Boca Raton.

The Martin Organization has developed the architectural plans for the country club clubhouses. The use of high pitched roofs and wood and natural materials will illustrate the tropical elegance of the community. The Philadelphia-based architectural firm was recently featured in Builder magazine as one of the real estate industry`s trendsetters.